Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/181

Rh in the fight and many javelins are cast by heroes’ hands, that I may lose this dear husband of mine. Alas, how oft I suffer sore for Siegfried’s sake! Dear kinsman, in the hope that thou wilt hold thy troth with me, I’ll tell thee where men may wound the dear lord of mine. I let thee hear this, ’t is done in faith. When the hot blood gushed from the dragon’s wounds and the bold hero and a good bathed him therein, a broad linden leaf did fall betwixt his shoulder blades. Therefore am I sore afraid that men may cut him there.”

Then spake Hagen of Troneg: “Sew a small mark upon his coat, whereby I may know where I must guard him, when we stand in battle.”

She weened to save her knight, but ’t was done unto his death. She spake: “With fine silk I’ll sew a secret cross upon his vesture. There, knight, thy hand must guard my husband, when the strife is on and he standeth in the battle before his foes.”

“That will I well, dear my lady,” Hagen then replied.

The lady weened that it would boot him aught, but Kriemhild’s husband was thereby betrayed. Hagen then took leave; merrily he hied him hence. The king’s liegeman was blithe of mood. I ween that nevermore will warrior give such false counsel, as was done by him when Kriemhild trusted in his troth.

Next morning Siegfried with a thousand of his men rode merrily forth. He weened he should avenge the grievance of his kinsmen. Hagen rode so near him that he could eye his clothes. When he saw the sign, he sent in secret twain of his men, who should tell an-